Middle English Dictionary Entry
tortū̆s(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tortū̆s(e n. Also tortuce, tortous(e, tortois, tortes, tortuge, turtuse; pl. tortuces, etc. & (error) cortucis. |
| Etymology | ML tortū̆ca, turtus, AL tortū̆ga & AF turtouse, tortouse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. tortu n.
1.
(a) A reptile of the order Chelonia, a tortoise, turtle; ~ of the se; mires ~, a marsh tortoise; (b) a covered siege engine equipped with a battering ram [cp. snail n. (c)]; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- [ ?a1425 Alphita (Sln 284)185 : Testudo: gallice, tortouse. ]
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1256/20 : The tortuse [*BodeMus: tortuge] is acounted amonge snayles for he is yclosed bitwene most harde schelles in þe whiche he closeþ him whan enyþing greueþ him.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1257/13 : Oonliche þe tortuse [L tortuca] amonge alle bestes wiþ harde schelles haþ bladder and reynes.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)109a/a : Gentyl experimentatours haþ endited an vnguent of limaceis, i. smayles, of serpentez..of tortucis [Ch.(2): turtuses]..& lich þynges.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)124a/b : The forsaid farmaciez ar made..wiþ blode or fatnesse of tortuce [Ch.(2): a tortouse; L tortuce] of þe see.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)373/9 : Galien in fine Cathegenorum putteþ the oynement of frogges and of tortouses [*Ch.(1): cortucis].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)497 : Tortuce, beest: Tortuca.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.966 : Whan thou dredist hail or heuynesse..in thy right honde A myris tortous [L palustrem testudinem] bere aboute thy londe.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)9/45a : Tortu: tortes.
b
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2379 : A tortoys or a shelled snail..They name it..for when hem liste awake It, out therof the hed & hornys go And in and out ayein..right as a snaile, Right as it semeth hem their moost availe.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2385 : The bak of this tortoys, snail, or testude, Wherof it hath figure and also name..Wel couered is, the sidis beth the same; Pendaunt theryn, ther goth a beem alonge, Therof the hed is iron steeled stronge.
c
- (1200) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames352 : Hubert Turtuse.
- (1217) Close R.Tower 1336 : Petrus Tortus.
- (1327) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames352 : Gilbert Tortouse.